Headline News

For years, businesses did not recognize that employees had family responsibilities. In effect, the workplace treated every worker as if she or he was single, with no obligations other than to work and self.

The pendulum swung the other direction when employers realized that, between children and elderly parents, their workers needed more flexibility.

However, the workplace rules did not adjust to consider that singles had personal needs as well.

The end result appears to be that we have gone from a work world in which no one had a personal life to one in which personal needs are accommodated, but only if they involve dependents.

Singles are in the same spot they were before. They also may be carrying the load for parents or adult kids who are away.

What this story doesn’t mention is whether employers see workers with families whose dependents are not physically with them differently. The child is in college. The parent is in a retirement community. Interesting question to think about.

CNN

• Many single workers believe their companies show favoritism to married co-workers
• Some workplaces seem to be more accommodating to workers with children
• Company president: Understand every worker’s circumstances
• After covering co-workers’ baby leaves, one man gets “just because” leave

Source:  CNN,Update, February 23, 2009